Nut-lock.



NETE@ @TA'ES FATENT FFQE.,

LE/VIS E. SCHLOTTERBACK, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO I1. E.SCHLOTTERBACK MANUFACTURING CO., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

NUT-LOCK.

` form a part of this specification.

The present invention has reference, generally, to improvements inlock-nuts; and, the invention relates, more particularly, to a lock-nutthe locking element of which is contained within the body of av nut ofany.

desired form or type.

The present invention has for its principal object to provide a verysimple, cheap and effective construction of lock-nut, the same havingthe appearance of the ordinary nuts commonly in use, and the lockingelement of the nut being arranged so that the nut may be easily turnedin one direction, to screw the same home, but which will resist theturning or moving of the nut in an opposite direction, so as to preventthe nut being j arred or turned loose. The novel lock ing element isarranged in such a manner, so that the same cannot injure the thread ofthe bolt, and is of such construction so that the same may be easilyreleased from its locking engagement with the bolt, to enable the nut tobe quickly and easily unscrewed, and that the nut and its lockingelement may be yused over and over again.

Other objects of the present invention not at this time moreparticularly enumerated will be clearly understood from the followingdetailed description of the same.

l/Vith the objects of the present invention in view, the inventionconsists, primarily, in the novel construction of lock-nut hereinafterset forth; and, furthermore, this invention consists in the novelarrangements and combinations of the several parts of the device, aswell as in the details of the construction of the same, all of whichwill be more fully described in the following speci.- cation, and thenfinally embodied in the clauses of the claim which are appended toSpecification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 4, 1911.

Patented Nov. 5, 1912.

Serial No. 642,221.

and which form an essential part of the said specification.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure l is a plan or top-face view of a lock-nut made accordingto and embodying the principles of the present invention, the same beingshown in its normal relation with a bolt-shank, which is represented incross-section. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is ahorizontal section of the same, taken on line 3#3 in said Fig. 9; andFig. 4 is a transverse vertical section of the same, taken on line 4 4in Said Fig. l.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the hereinabovedescribed views, to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to the said drawings, the reference-character l indicatesa suitable nut which is provided with the usual internal screw-threads2, and the reference-character 3 indicates a portion of thescrew-threaded shank of a bolt or the like which is formed with theusual external screw-threads 4 adapted to be received by said internalscrew-threads 2 of said nut-body l. The body of the said nut is providedwith an inwardly extending and preferably cylindrically formed openingor chamber, as 5, said chamber extending laterally across a portion ofthe nut and at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the screw-threadedshank of the bolt, or the like, said chamber extending across a portionof the internal screw-thread 2 of the nut, thereby providing a suitableopening into which a portion of the external screw-threads 4 of thebolt, or the like, penetrate so as to project into said chamber 5. Thebottom or end 6 of said opening or chamber 5 extends slightly beyond theplace of penetration of said external screw-threads 4, thereby forming apocket in which is arranged a locking or retaining means, such as asteel ball 7, supported in such a manner so as to be brought intoengagement with a portion of the external screw-threads 4 of the bolt orthe like. Then the said nut, with the lock-ball 7 is thus arranged, thenut may be readily turned upon said bolt-body 8, the action of themoving bolt-thread 4, as it passes through said opening or chamber 5,tending to roll the lock-ball 7 toward the bottom or end 6, and, whichbeing rounded, permits the ball to turn freely without any friction orbinding action upon the screw-threads 4. When, however, the nut isturned in the opposite direction, that is in a manner to unscrew thesame from said screw-threaded shank, then the action of the movingbolt-thread 4, as. it passes through said opening or chamber 5, tends toroll said ball 7 away from vthe bottom or end 6 and forces or wedges thesame between the external thread 4l and the upper inner wall-portion ofsaid opening or chamber 5, whereby the ball 7 exercises considerablefriction or a binding action upon and between said nut--body and saidboltthread, and the harder the force exerted to turn the nut, thetighter will said loclcball bind. Of course, it will be clearlyunderstood, that the allowance of space for the movement of saidlock-ball 7 need be very slight, a few thousandths of an inch suficing.When it is desired to remove the nut from the bolt body, the saidlock-ball 7 may be prevented from exercising its locking or wedgingfunction by simply insert-ing a small rod, such as a wire-nail or othersmall body, within said opening or chamber 5, thereby holding back saidlock-ball 7 against the bottom 6 of the said opening or chamber,whereupon the action of the external screw-threads of said bolt-bodyupon the lock-ball is prevented, so that the nut may be quickly andeasily unscrewed from tle screw-threaded shank of the bolt, or the lire.

It will, therefore, be clearly evident, that the present inventionprovides an exceedingly efficient lock-nut, of a very simple and lastingcharacter, which is easily manipulated, and is capable of use over andover again. Furthermore, the exterior of the nut-body being unchanged,and it being possible to use any design or shape of nut, it will beclearly understood that the present lock-nut can be used Wherever it ispossible to use an ordinary nut.

I am aware that some changes may be made in the general arrangements andcombinations of the parts comprising the nutscribed in saidspecification, n or do I confine myself to the exact details of theconstruction of the said parts, as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

I claim r- A lock-nut comprising a nut-body provided with a transverseand inwardly 'extending opening or chamber provided with a roundedconcave wall, the inner wall of said chamber extending across thescrewthreads of said nut-body, so as to form an opening which thethreads of a bolt may penetrate, the rounded concave end-wall of saidopening or chamber lying slightly beyond the said opening and forming apocket tangent to the top of said bolt-threads, and a lock-ball arrangedin said pocket and adapted to be brought into holding engagement withthe penetrating screw-threads of a bolt, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereuntoset my hand this 27 th day of July, 1911.

LEVIS E. SCHLOTTERBACK.

Vtnesses:

GEORGE D. RICHARDS, HERMAN J. KOEBLER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

